Native herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D vaccine: immunogenicity and protection in animal models

• Published in: Vaccine Vol. 9; no. 3; p. 147
• Main Authors: Mishkin, E M, Fahey, J R, Kino, Y, Klein, R J, Abramovitz, A S, Mento, S J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-03-1991
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Female; Guinea Pigs; Herpes Genitalis - prevention & control; Herpes Simplex - prevention & control; Herpesvirus Vaccines; Immunization; Lymphocyte Activation; Macaca mulatta; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Weight; Neutralization Tests; Simplexvirus - immunology; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Viral Envelope Proteins - chemistry; Viral Envelope Proteins - immunology; Viral Vaccines - chemistry; Viral Vaccines - immunology
• ISSN: 0264-410X
• DOI: 10.1016/0264-410X(91)90146-W

Mice, guinea pigs, and rhesus monkeys were immunized with immunoaffinity-purified native glycoprotein D (gD) derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1). The native glycoprotein has evoked significant in vivo responses even at low doses. Thus, mice immunized with doses as low as 1 microgram were significantly protected from the morbidity and mortality of lethal HSV2 challenge and from establishment of latent HSV2 infection. Protection was dose-related and correlated with prechallenge serum neutralizing antibody titres to HSV. Similarly, immunized guinea-pigs demonstrated significant reductions in the frequency, severity and duration of genital lesions induced by HSV2 vaginal challenge. In long term immunogenicity studies, immunized rhesus monkeys exhibited significant serum neutralizing antibody responses to both HSV1 and HSV2. In vitro stimulation of monkey peripheral blood leucocytes with purified gD resulted in a significant cellular proliferative response. The results obtained in these animal models with a gD subunit vaccine provide an appropriate foundation for the initiation of human studies.